Apple Cider Vinegar Remedies

Apple cider vinegar has been used throughout history as a health tonic and a natural cure to treat various conditions and diseases. But many people began to realize apple cider vinegar benefits only after Dr. DeForest Clinton Jarvis wrote about it in his book "Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor's Guide to Good Health" in 1958. Many more books on apple cider vinegar cures were published after that such as the "Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar by Earl Mindell," "Apple Cider Vinegar - Miracle Health System by Paul C. Bragg Ph.D." and "The Miracle of Apple Cider Vinegar" by Dr. Penny Stanway.

So, what are the health benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar? Why not just eat one apple a day to keep the doctor away?

Apple cider vinegar which is fermented juice contains additional constituents not available in raw and fresh apples. One of it is acetic acid.

Organic, raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar contains the mother of vinegar. You can tell if it is a raw apple cider vinegar by looking at the color which looks murky with some sort of sediments at the bottom. The sediment or mother is cellulose which is produced by the interaction of harmless bacteria with alcohol. This mother of vinegar is believed to act as a natural detox agent, an antibiotic and antiseptic and is responsible in providing the healing effects and health benefits of apple cider vinegar.

Apple cider vinegar also contains small amounts of other acids, beta carotene, dietary fiber, enzymes, vitamins and many minerals such as potassium.

Unfiltered apple cider vinegar available in the market contains between 4% to 6% acetic acid which can be a little harsh. So it is best to dilute it with water. The normal dosage suggested is 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider mixed in a glass of water or juice. Adding pure honey would enhance the healing effect because honey contains about 180 substances that provide healing benefits.

List of Apple Cider Vinegar Remedies and Apple Cider Cures

Apple cider vinegar remedies No. 1 - Remedy for diabetes

A small study found that people who drank a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar after eating high GL foods showed a drop of 50 percent blood sugar levels compared to when they did not take the apple cider vinegar. Another study on 11 people with type 2 diabetes showed that their glucose levels dropped by 4 to 6 percent after taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily.

According to researchers, acetic acid helps the body delays the breakdown of foods into blood sugar. It is also believed that acetic acid keeps the foods in the stomach longer and will not be digested too quickly. Another one of the benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar after a meal is the acetic acid accelerates the movement of glucose from the bloodstream into the muscles for storage.

Apple cider vinegar remedies No. 2 - Fights bacterial infection

Way back around 400 BC, Hippocrates suggested drinking apple cider vinegar combined with honey to fight and treat bacterial infections. Though there aren't concrete scientific evidences, there are many anecdotal claims to support its effectiveness.

Drinking apple cider vinegar every 2 hours may help treat bladder infection. Gargling diluted apple cider vinegar every hour may help soothe sore throat caused by strep infection. If you are able to swallow, mix 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and honey in a glass of water and drink it as often as you can to help fight the bacteria. If you suffer from hacking cough as a result of walking pneumonia, mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of honey in ½ a glass of warm water and drink it every few hours.

Apple cider vinegar remedies No. 2 - Treats fungal infection

Apple cider vinegar is an alternative cure for fungal infections such as athlete's foot, oral thrush, ringworm and yeast infection.

To treat athlete's foot, soak your feet in water mixed with apple cider vinegar. Gargle a mixture of 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and water for relief from oral thrush. To treat ringworm, dip cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and dab it gently on your skin. Be careful because it does sting. If you have vaginal yeast infection, douche with 1 part of apple cider vinegar and 3 parts of water. It's unpleasant but it beats having to suffer from the itching.

Apple cider vinegar remedies No. 3 - Remedy for viral infections

To protect from viral infections such as the common cold, flu and shingles, drink apple cider vinegar daily. But if you are already infected, drink it to shorten the duration as it is able to boosts your immune system to fight against diseases.

To remove the common warts or genital warts, wet a gauze or cotton ball in apple cider vinegar, place it on the affected area and bandage or cover it. Do this several times a day for several days until the wart shrink and drop off. You can do this same method to treat shingles symptoms such as severe itching.

Apple cider vinegar remedies No. 4 - Apple cider vinegar weight loss

Apple cider vinegar has been touted to help in weight loss. It's probably because apple cider vinegar has the ability to boost the metabolism, decrease hunger and also increase energy level. But, drinking apple cider vinegar several times daily won't produce drastic weight loss. You must reduce your caloric intake, eat healthier foods and do regular exercise.

For apple cider to work effectively in reducing weight, you should include foods high in fiber which will help in making you full faster and longer. Other beneficial foods, vitamins or supplements that will go well together with apple cider vinegar for the purpose of losing weight are kelp, proteins such as fish and foods rich in vitamin B6 such as nuts, seeds, vegetables and whole grains.

Apple cider vinegar remedies No. 5 - Treating skin, scalp and hair problems

If you want to maintain healthy skin, scalp and hair, drink apple cider vinegar daily or if you can't bear the taste or smell, you can opt for apple cider vinegar tablets.

To use it as a remedy for blackheads, make a paste by combining apple cider vinegar, crushed aspirin and water and apply it on the spot. If you happen to have cystic acne, wash your face with diluted apple cider vinegar or dab it on the affected area and leave it overnight.

The uses for apple cider vinegar include treating itchy scalp, dandruff, eczema and psoriasis. When you apply diluted apple cider vinegar onto your hair and scalp, it helps treat itching, remove dandruff and helps strengthen your hair follicles and it may help prevent thinning hair or hair loss. To treat psoriasis and eczema, use apple cider vinegar as a skin wash or dab it on your skin.

There are too many more uses for apple cider vinegar to list them all here. Some other apple cider vinegar remedies include its ability in lower cholesterol level and high blood pressure, treating heartburn, gout, indigestion, bacterial vaginosis, constipation and allergies. It is also one of the cheapest natural remedy for colon cleansing.

Many people doubt the benefits of natural products and alternative medicine as a natural cure but are willing to take antibiotics and other medications without questioning. If you are concerned about apple cider side effects, investigate and do further research on it. If you are worried about its acidity, dilute it in a larger amount of water or juice before drinking. Before applying it on your skin, dab a little bit to see if it causes an allergic reaction. And if you are afraid that it might damage your tooth enamel, rinse your mouth after ingesting or gargling.

If you are pregnant, suffering from a major health issue or on prescription medication, check with your doctor first.

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